Tiltable table for use in the radiological examination of patients



Sept. 15, 1964 Filed Dec.

F. A. M. MOREL 3,149,229 TILTABLE TABLE FOR USE IN THE RADIOLOGICALEXAMINATION OF PATIENTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

7 FRANS ALrofis MARIA MOREL 50 By ATTORNEYS Sept. 15, 1964 F. A. M.MOREL TILTABLE TABLE FOR USE IN THE RADIOLOGICAL Filed Dec. 20, 1960EXAMINATION OF PATIENTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

' FRANS ALFONS MARIA MOREL ATTORNEYS Sept. 15, 1964v F. A. M. MOREL3,149,229

TILTABLE TABLE FOR USE IN THE RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF PATIENTS FiledDec. 20, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

FIRANS ALFONS MARIA MOREL B wwwwww ATTORNEYS Sept. 15, 1964 Filed Dec.20, 1960 F. TILTABLE TABLE A. FOR

5 SheetsSheet 4 BY lka 4L,

INVENTOR.

FRANS ALFONS MARIA MOREL ATTORN EYS.

Spt. 15, 1964 F. A. M. MOREL 3,149,229

TILTABLE TABLE FOR USE IN THE RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF PATIENTS FiledDec. 20, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR. 5O FRANS ALFONS MARIA MORELATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,149,229 TILTABLE TABLE FOR USE us THERADIO- LOGICAL EXAMINATEON OF PATIENTS Frans Alfons Maria Morel,Antwerp, Belgium, assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Laboratory for Electronics,

Inc, Boston, Mam a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 20, 1960, Ser. No.77,183 17 Claims. ((Il. 250-555) This invention relates in general toX-ray equipment and more particularly to a tiltable table for use in theradiological examination of patients.

In medical radiology, specially constructed tables are generally usedfor receiving the patient who is to be radiologically examined. Thesetables are generally adapted to operate in conjunction with the otherX-ray equipment and commonly include within the body of the table X-rayequipment such as X-ray generating tubes, X-ray film buckys and thelike. In addition the tables must provide for a tilting movement of thepatient in order to take X-ray photographs at various angles whilemaintaining the patient immobile with respect to the table. There are agreat variety of table constructions used for this purpose; however, amajor drawback of many of these tables is that the tilting movements areconsiderably restricted, hence restricting somewhat the radiologicalprocedures which may be employed readily. Perhaps the fundamental reasonfor this restriction of movement lies in the length of the table ascompared to its normal working height above the floor, such that therotational are about the transverse axis of the table is quite large.One type of construction which has been used to alleviate this problemis to construct the body of the table, below the circular configurationof the table limits the lengthwise travel of the X-ray tube headseverely.

Another approach has emphasized the mechanical aspects of the adjustmentand has resulted in many cases in unwieldy and complex mechanisms suchas very large gear segments and the like. In addition, many of thesemechanisms require that in rotating to the vertical position the tablemoves beyond the horizontal limits of the space occupied by the table inits normal horizontal position. One desirable adjustment of an X-rayexamining table is that which allows the radiologist to raise theexamining table in the horizontal position. However, in general theexisting table designs do not permit the rotation to a vertical positionto be initiated from any horizontal position other than the lowest ornorma horizontal position.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to providean efficient, economic X-ray examining table apparatus which is capableof vertical adjustment and of being rotated to any vertical elevation upto 90 degrees in either direction from any one of its horizontally levelpositions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a completelyautomatic X-ray table apparatus which can be adjusted vertically androtated to any vertical elevation up to 90 degrees.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide acompletely automatic, vertically adjustable X-ray examining table whichprovides for full longitudinal travel of the Xray film carriage or tubehead contained within it.

Patented Sept. 15, 1964 It is still another object of the presentinvention to pro-.

vide an economic, rugged, eflicient X-ray table apparatus which may beadjusted to any elevation up to degrees above the horizontal in eitherdirection and in which the table remains substantially within thehorizontal limits of the space occupied by the table in its normalhorizontal position.

Broadly speaking, the X-ray table of the present invention employs anovel, simple linkage system which provides that the X-ray. table may beeasily and efficiently moved through a path of motion which keeps thetable substantially within the horizontal limits of the space itoriginally occupied and which permits the table to be formed withdepending elements such as side and end skirts which extend almost tothe floor beneath the table. This linkage, which will be described inmore detail below, consists of four rotating links, two of which supportthe table structure above a centrally located base member and the othertwo of which connect the first two links to each other and the base.Each of the first two supporting links is pivotally connected at one endto the base member near the longitudinal center of the base member. Theother end of one supporting link is pivotally attached to the table nearone end while the other end of the other supporting link is pivotallyattached to the table near its oppositeend. The links are attached tothe table in a manner which permits the table to be selectively rotatedaround either one of these attaching pivots. The connecting linksprovide that when the table is rotated around the attaching pivot of oneof the supporting links, that link itself rotates in the oppositedirection around its pivotal connection to the base member. Theresultant motion of the table is, then, not circular with respect to thebase but rather follows a somewhat irregular curved path. For example,when tilting to the right, as the left hand end of the table movesupward and to the right, the right hand end also moves up and towardsthe centerline of the base. It is this motion which allows at the sametime the movement of the table to remain within the horizontal confinesof its original position and also to have a deep rectangular shape sincethe motion eliminates the usual problem of the lower corner of arectangular shaped table describing an are which brings it into contactwith the floor before the overall table can achieve a 90-degree verticalelevation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view having a cutaway portion to show theinternal mechanism of an X-ray table in ac cordance with the principlesof this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a modification of the X-ray tableillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the X-ray table of FIG. 2 in the raisedhorizontal position;

FIG. 5 is an illustration partially in perspective and partially indiagrammatic form of the X-ray table of FIG. 2 adjusted to a 90-degreeelevation above the horizontal to the right;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a portion of a diiferent embodiment of anX-ray table in accordance with the principles of this invention having abroken-away section to show the internal mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the X-ray table of FIG. 6adjusted to an elevation of 90 degrees above the horizontal to theright;

. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line AA of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are detailed views of the coupling mechanism in thetable of FIG.

FIG. is a cross-sectional View taken through the line BB of FIG. 6.

With reference now specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, the table structure 1is seen to have a generally rectangular vertical cross-section, and asindicated in FIG. 3, it also has a generally rectangular horizontalcross-section, thus forming a rectangular box-shaped structure. Theupper surface 20, on which the patient to be examined is placed, isformed as a smooth rectangular surface. The body of the table is formedby generally rectangular side panels 21 and 22 and a bottom panel 23.The enclosed center portion is left unobstructed in order to accommodatethe sliding film carriage and X-ray tube head (not shown). Outer skirts24 are mounted to the side panels and cover the linkages, both forappearance and toprevent accidental damage to the mechanism or operator.

The table structure 1 is supportedabove a base member by a linkagesystem which includes extendable links 8 and 9 and connecting links 12and 13. As is most clearly indicated in FIG. 3, the table I is supportedby duplicate linkage systems on the front and back face of the table;however, the operation will be described in terms of the linkage on onlyone face of the table since in all cases their operation is identical.Links 3 and 9 are, in this embodiment, telescoping hydraulic cylinderscapable of extending to more than three times their original minimumlengths. The fixed portion of each of these cylinders is pivotallycoupled to the base member at the pivots 4 and 5 respectively. Theextendable portion 6 of cylinder 8 is pivotally coupled to the tablestructure at pivot 2, while the extendable portion 7 of cylinder 9 ispivotally coupled to the table structure at pivot 3. Connecting links 12and 13 may be formed as pivoted bars, link 12 being pivoted at one endto cylinder 8 at point It) and link 13 being pivoted at one'end tocylinder 9 at point 11. The other ends of links 12 and 13 are joinedtogether at pivot 14 which is arranged to ride within a T-shaped slot 16in an upraised portion of the base 15. The slot 16 may be inverted orupright. In FIG. 1, the T-shaped slot is'inverte'd and the connectinglinks 12 and 13 are joined near the open end of cylinders 8 and 9,whereas in FIG. 2 the T-shaped slot is in the normal position and theconnecting links are joined to cylinders 8 and 9 about midway from thelength of the fixed portions. Hydraulic lines 5% and 51 supply thehydraulic fluid to the cylinders, the pressure being controlled 'by aconventional hydraulic valve-pump arrangement (not shown), permittingselective extension of either of the cylinders. A pair of bumper blocks17 and 18' are located at either end of the table and serve the purpose,as will be described below, of both guiding the linkage in its 90-degreeelevation position and of stabilizing the table in that position.

The two forms of construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 operate inessentially the same manner. Operation of the second form will now bediscussed with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. In FIG. 2 the table isshown horizontally level and in its lowermost position, while in FIG. 4the table shown horizontally level and partially elevated. In FIG. 5 thetable apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 4 is tilted up to the vertical positionto the right in bold outline and the dotted lines indicate both thehorizontal and oneintermediate position. As indicated in the view ofFIG. 2 when the table is in the horizontally level lowermost position,hte pivot joint 14 rests at the lower end of slot 16 and the movableportions 6 and 7 of cylinders 8 and 9 respectively are fully retractedto a position of minimum extension. In order to raise the tablevertically while maintaining it in the horizontally level position, thecylinders must be extended equally, as indicated in FIG. 4. Extendingthe cylinders equally causes cylinders 8 and 9 to rotate about pivots 4and 5 respectively toward one another; hence, junction 14 is drivenupward in slot 16. The equal extension of hydraulic cylinders may beachieved by simultaneously actuating the valve controls for each of thehydraulic lines and 51.

In order to tilt the table 1 vertically to the right from the lowermosthorizontal position, as illustrated in H6. 5, it is necessary to extendonly cylinder 8. This raises pivot point 2 vertically. When pivot point2 and consequently the left hand end of table 1 are raised, the tablewill rotate around pivot point 3, but the raising of pivot point 2 willcause cylinder 8 to rotate about the base pivot point 4, thus pushingrod 12 away and, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, raising pivotjoint 14 within slot 36. Consequently, rod 13 will also be pulledvertically upwards and pivot points 11 and 3 will rotate around the basepivot 5 in the direction of the center of the table. The overall'efiect,then, is that by raising pivot point 2, pivot point 3 is also raisedsomewhat and brought in towards the center enabling the entire table torotate to the vertical position without the right-hand lower cornerstriking the floor. This is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 5 wherethe positions of the cylinders 3 and 9 are illustrated as being at pointa for the lowermost horizontal position, point b for the intermediateposition right-hand tilt, and point 0 for the 90-degree tilt to theright. Link members 12 and 13 are shown only in the positioncorresponding to the 90-degree vertical tilt in order not to obscure theillustration.

To tilt the table in the other direction, the procedure is opposite tothe one just described; in this case it is point 3 only which must beraised and the movements of point 2 are then correlated with those ofpoint 3. The over-all path in tilting in either direction is then not acircular one but rather a somewhat irregular curvature representing theresultant curve described by rotating the table about a rotation axiswhich is itself rotating in the opposite direction with a diiferentradius.

In tilting the table either to the right or to the left, the hydrauliccontrols must be selectively operated such that the extension movementis limited to one or the other of cylinders E3 or 9. It should also benoted that if the initial position of the table is in the horizontallylevel raised position as indicated in FIG. 4, the tilting action mayalso be initiated from this position. For example, if thetable is to betilted to the right, then the controls effecting the extension ofcylinder 9 must first be operated to retract this cylinder to itsminimum extension and then the control effecting cylinder 8 may beoperated to extend cylinder 8 to its maximum extension.

The control system may be made completely automatic by conventionalprogramming techniques such that the table will go to any one of apreselected group of positions, such as 15 degrees to the right, degreesto the right, degrees to the right, or the same to the left by flippinga corresponding switch. The same programming techniques may, of course,be used to have a discreet number of preselected raised horizontallylevel positions.

While the above operation has been described in terms of a singlehydraulic cylinder on either end of the table, it is, of course,apparent, as mentioned above, that there is a matching setof linkages onthe other face of the table (as illustrated in FIG. 3 cross-section) andactuation of a cylinder actually corresponds to actuating a pair ofcylinders such that only the longitudinal axis of the table is tilted.As indicated in FIG. 5, the bumper 18 abuts cylinder h when the table'isin the 90-degree vertical tilt to the right, thus preventing anyover-swing of the table. beyond the 90-degree position and givingvertical stability within this position. Bumper 17 serves the samefunction in a 90-degree tilt to the left.

While, in the embodiments above, the extending elements were shown ashydraulic cylinders, it should be apparent that any means of extendingthe rotating links will be suitable for operating this table. Forexample, cylinders actuated by air compression or extended by screwdrives and the like may be employed to obtain the same action.

With reference now to FiG. 6 and FIG. 7, a second embodiment of theX-ray apparatus of this invention is shown. As in the previousembodiment, the basic sup port linkage again consists of four rotatinglinks, two of which join the table to the base and two of which join thefirst two links to each other and-to the base. Turning now to FIG. 6, aportion of the front face of the table is shown with the outer skirtbroken away in order to clarify the detail of the operating mechanism.The table structure 1 carries on it two diagonal track members 63 and 65respectively. Track 63 is mounted directly to the body of the table, forexample being mounted fluish to the front face 59 of the table, and thistrack 63 runs from a point near the upper righthand corner of the tableto a point near the lower lefthand corner. The track 63 would typicallybe formed of a U-shaped channel member with a hollow center sectionhaving inwardly protruding flanges 79 as the track guide means, as isperhaps most clearly illustrated in the crosssectional view of FIG. 10.Extending the length of the track member 63 and confined within itsoutwardly facing open center channel is lead screw 64, which is mountedin a fashion to allow rotation. Screw 64 is coupled through a couplingunit '77 (as indicated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9) to a reversible motor 95.The second diagonal track 65 which runs from the upper left corner to'the lower right corner of the table is mounted outboard of track 63 bymeans of supporting struts 86 through 83. The outboard track 65 is againformed of a channel member having the same structure as track 63, butwith the open channel section facing inwardly thus providing that theopen sections of each track are facing one another. A second lead screw66 is mounted within channel 65 with freedom to rotate and is coupledthrough coupling unit 76 to a second reversible motor 97. A pair ofrotating links 61 and 62 which typically might be formed as relativelyflat bar members arepivotally connected to base member 50 at points 53and 54, respectively. Link 62 is pivotally coupled at its other end to alead screw follower block 75 at pivot 52. The lead screw block follower75 is mounted, as is most clearly illustrated in FIG. 10, on lead screw64 and adapted to ride within track 63. The lead screw follower is thusadapted to ride up and down track 63 in response to rotations of thelead screw 64. Lead screw 64 has a left-hand thread and hence followerblock 75 travels downward when the lead screw is rotated clockwise andtravels upward when the lead screw is rotated counter-clockwise. Linkmember 61 is coupled in the same fashion at pivot 51 to lead screwfollower 78 mounted on lead screw 66 and the follower 78 is adapted toride up and down in track 65. The thread on lead screw 66 is reversed;that is, a right hand thread, so that if both lead screws are rotated inthe same direction both follower blocks move up or down. A pair ofconnecting links 56 and 57 are pivotally coupled at pivot points 70 and71 respectively to rotating links 61 and 62 respectively. Connectinglinks 56 and 57 are pivotally connected at their other ends throughpivots 73 and 72 respectively to a sliding block 55. The

sliding block 55 has two inwardly protruding stud members 74 which ridea vertically elongated slot 66 within a raised center portion 58 of basemember 50.

Having described the interconnection of the mechanism, its operationwill'now be considered. Considering first the case where both leadscrews 64 and 66 are rothe table 1 frame, yet, relative to the base,both of these pivot points are rotated to a slightly higher verticalposition. The over-all effect is to raise the table above the basemember while maintaining it in a horizontally level position. The limitof this movement is reached when each of the rotating links 61 and 62are raised to almost the straight vertical position, which places thetable in its uppermost horizontally level position. From this positionthe table may be lowered again to its initial low horizontally levelposition by reversing the drive on the lead screws 64 and 66.

In order to tilt the table, either to the right or to the left, from itslowermost horizontally level position, only one of the lead screws needbe rotated. Thus, for example, in order to tilt the table to the right(as indicated in FIG. 7), lead screw 66 is rotated clockwise, thusdriving the follower 78 to the lower end of track member 65. This actionforces rotating link 61 up to the vertical position. Rotating link 62 isalso pulled to the vertical position due to the interconnection throughconnesting links 56 and 57. The resultant position of the table is, asindicated in FIG. 7, a -degree elevation to the right. In order toreturn to the horizontally level lowermost position, lead screw 66 isrotated counter.- clockwise which lowers the table back to the positionindicated in dotted lines in FIG. 7. In order to tilt the table to theleft the same procedure is followed with regard to lead screw 64 whichis rotated clockwise while lead screw 66 is not rotated.

If it is desired to tilt the table to one side, initiating the actionnot from the lowermost horizontal position, but from some intermediateraised horizontally level position, then one lead screw is first rotatedcounter-clockwise until its follower block is driven to the uppermostpoint of the track and the other lead screw is then rotated clockwise toraise its corresponding end of the table. For example, if it is desiredto tilt the table to the right from an intermediate position then leadscrew 64 is first rotated counter-clockwise until follower block 75 isin the position as indicated in FIG. 6 and then lead screw 66 is rotatedclockwise thus raising the left-hand end of the table.

In the above-described tilting action of the table, it is seen that thepath of motion of the table is again, as in the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2, one in which one end of the table is rotated about apivot point in the opposite end of the table and that pivot point issimultaneously rotated in the opposite direction about a pivot point inthe base. Thus, tilting the table to the right, the left-hand end of thetable is rotated around pivot point 52, while pivot point 52, beingfixed to bar 62, is rotated with it towards the center line of the basearound pivot point 54. Therefore, again in this embodiment theright-hand end of the table in a tilt to the right is moved up andtowards the center line while the lefthand end is moved up towards thetop position, thereby providing that a deep rectangularly shaped tabledoes not collide with the floor on which the base member is set.

The driving source for the lead screws in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7 may be any conventional motor arrangement, the reversibleelectric motors being typical examples. The motors may be located asshown within the body of the table and coupled to the lead screwsthrough couplings as are illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B. In FIG. 9B, thecoupling for the lead screw 64 which intersects the bottom of the tableis shown with a flexible joint in order to provide that the couplingextends the minimum amount below the lower edge of the table. The leadscrew 64 in FIG. 9B is connected through a thrust bearing 99 to aflexible joint 90 which permits flexibility in the vertical plane butwhich is pinned through pin 91 to provide for rotational coupling. Thisjoint is coupled through another thrust bearing 98 to a bevel gear 162which is operating in conjunction with a 90-degree displaced bevel gear193, the latter being driven by the motor. 95. The coupling '76 for leadscrew 66 is similar, but does not require a flexible joint since it isnot positioned in close proximity to the upper edge of the table.

The second embodiment of the X-ray table apparatus has utilized trackmembers with carrier blocks adapted to be driven along the trackmembers, which carriers have been pivotally attached to the upper endsof the rotating link arms. While the specific apparatus discussed hasemployed lead screw drives for controlling the motion of the carrierblocks, the invention is not so limited, but includes any other suitablemeans of controlling the position of. the pivotally attached carrierswithin the track members. Similarly, the tracks may be of dif-' ferentconstruction and may be replaced by other types of guide means adaptedto define the paths of travel of the carrier blocks. Having describedthe invention herein, it is apparent that many modifications andimprovements may now be made by those skilled in the art, and it isintended that the invention disclosed herein should be limited only bythe spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. X-ray apparatus comprising, a generally rectangular box-shaped tablestructure; a base member disposed generally in the horizontal planebeneath said table structure in close proximity to the bottom of saidtable structure; elevating means adapted to vertically raise said tablestructure above said base member up to a predetermined distance and tomaintain said table structure at any selected increment of saidpredetermined distance; positioning means adapted to position andsupport said table structure at any elevation of its longitudinal axisup to 90 degrees above horizontal; said positioning means co-acting withsaid elevating means in such a manner that said positioning action maybe initiated from any incremental position of said elevating means.

2. X-ray apparatus comprising, a generally rectangular box-shaped tablestructure; a relatively rigid base member disposed generally in thehorizontal plane; means for positioning and supporting said tablestructure at any elevation of its longitudinal axis up to 90 degreesabove the horizontal; said elevation being obtained by rotating in afirst direction one end of said table structure in a circle centered ona first axis of rotation transverse of said table structure longitudinalaxis and located within said table structure near the opposite endthereof and simultaneously rotating in the opposite direction said firstaxis of rotation of said table structure in a circle centered on asecond axis of rotation located within said base member.

3. X-ray apparatus comprising, a table and a relatively rigid base;means adjustably supporting said table upon said base and including afirst pair of links, each having an end pivotally afiixed torespectively spaced points on said base and an opposite end pivotallyaffixed to respectively spaced points on said table; a second pair oflinks each having an end pivotally afiixed to a respective one of saidfirst links; means for pivotally joining the opposite ends of saidsecond links; guide means for constraining the motion of said pivotallyjoined ends of said second links to a limited path; and means foraxially extending the length of either and both of said first links.

4. X-ray apparatus comprising, a table and a relatively rigid base;means adjustably supporting said table upon said base and including afirst pair of links, each having an end pivotally afiixed torespectively spaced points on said base and an opposite end pivotallyaffixed to respectively spaced points on said table; a second pair oflinks each having an end pivotally aifixed to a respective one of saidfirst-links; means for pivotally joining the opposite ends of saidsecond links; guide means for constraining the motion of said pivotallyjoined ends of said second links to a limited path, said guide meansbeing secured to said base and being disposed intermediate of said firstlinks, said limited path being T-shaped in form,

and means for axially extending either and both of said first links;means on said table co-acting with said first and said second links forcompelling the motion of said pivotally joined ends of said second linksinto a restricted portion of said T-shaped path under conditions ofsubstantially maximum extension of either one of said first links underconditions of substantially minimum extension of the other one of saidfirst links.

5. X-ray apparatus comprising, a table and a relatively rigid base;means adjustably supporting said table upon said base and includingfirst and second links, each having an end pivotally aifixed torespectively spaced points on said base and an opposite end pivotallyaffixed to respectively spaced points on said table; third and fourthlinks, each having an end pivotally affixed to a respective one of saidfirst and second links; means for pivotally joining the opposite ends ofsaid third and said fourth links; guide means for constraining themotion of said pivotally joined ends of said third and fourth links to alimited path, said guide means being secured to said base and disposedintermediate of said first and said second links and substantiallycentered on the longitudinal dimension of said table, said limited pathbeing T-shaped in form; means for axially extending either and both ofsaid first and said second links, whereby, by extending said first linkand not extending said second link said table may be elevated up todegrees above the horizontal in one direction, by extending said secondlink and not extending said first link said table may be elevated to 90degrees above the horizontal in the other direction and by extendingboth said first and said second links said table may be displacedvertically.

6 X-ray apparatus comprising, a generally rectangular table member; abase member; support means; said support means having first and secondhydraulic cylinder elements, each of said cylinder elements having afixed portion and an extendable portion; said extendable portion beingadapted to extend in a direction along the loagitudinal axis of saidcylinder member; said fixed portion of each of saidcylinders beingpivotally mounted to said base member; said extendable portion of saidfirst cylinder member being pivotally mounted to said table member at apoint near one end thereof; said extendable portion of said secondcylinder element being pivotally mounted to said table member near theopposite end thereof; first and second links, said first link having oneend connected pivotally to said fixed portion of said first cylindermember; said second link having one end pivotally connected to saidfixed portion of said second cylinder element; the other ends of saidfirst and second links being pivotally joined together; means extendingvertically from said base member and defining a T-shaped guide; andmeans containing the path of motion and pivotal joint to said T-shapedguide.

7. X-ray. apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said supportmeans is adapted to tilt said table longitudinally to the left byextending said hydraulic cylinder element coupled to the right-hand endof said table and to tilt said'table longitudinally to the left byextending said hydraulic cylinder element attached to the right-hand endof said table.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein the lower limit of saidT-shaped slothas a higher vertical position than the vertical positionof the pivotal connections between said links and said hydrauliccylinders.

9. X-ray apparatus comprising, a generally rectangular table member; abase member; support means, said support means having at least one pairof hydraulic cylinders, each of said hydraulic cylinders having a fixedportion and an extendable portion, each of said extendable portionsbeing adapted to extend in a direction along the longitudinal axis ofits respective cylinder, said fixed portion of each of said cylindersbeing pivotally mounted to said base member; said extendable portion ofeach of said hydraulic cylinders being pivotally mounted atlongitudinally spaced points to said table member; links,

each of said links having one end pivotally connected to said fixedportion of one of said hydraulic cylinders, the other ends of said linksbeing pivotally joined together; means extending vertically from saidbase member, said means including a vertical slot having the form of aninverted T, said pivotal joint being adapted to ride within said slot.

l0. X-ray apparatus comprising, a generally rectanguular boxshaped tableand a relatively rigid base, said table having a normal position withrespect to said base in which the bottom of said table is disposed inclose proximity to said base and said table is generally in a horizontalposition; support means, said support means including first and secondlinks, each having an end pivotally afiixed to respectively spacedpoints on said base and an opposite end pivotally afiixed torespectively spaced points on said table, said links being confinedwithin said table in said normal horizontal position; third and fourthlinks each having an end pivotally affixed to a respective one of saidfirst and second links; means for pivotally joining the opposite ends ofsaid third and fourth links; guide means for containing the motion ofsaid pivotally joined ends of said third and fourth links to a limitedpath; means for axially extending the length of either and both of saidfirst and said second links whereby by extending said first and saidsecond links selectively said table may be positioned at any elevationup to 90 degrees above the horizontal.

ll. X-ray apparatus comprising, a generally rectangular box-shaped tableand a relatively rigid base; means adjustably supporting said table uponsaid base and including first and second pairs of links, each having anend pivotally affixed to respectively spaced points on said base, eachof said first pair of links having an opposite end pivotally affixed torespectively spaced points on one side of said table, each of saidsecond pair of links having an opposite end pivotally afiixed torespectively spaced points on the opposite side of said table; a thirdpair of links each having an end pivotally affixed to a respective oneof said first pair of links; means for pivotally joining the oppositeends of said third pair of links, a fourth pair of links each having anend pivotally afi'ixed to a respective one of said second pair of links;means for pivotally joining the opposite ends of said fourth pair oflinks; guide means for constraining the motion of said pivotally joinedends of said third pair and said fourth pair of links to a limited path;means for axially extending selectively each of said first and saidsecond pair of links.

12. X-ray apparatus comprising, a generally rectangular table member; abase member; support means; said support means including first andsecond hydraulic cylinder elements, one end of said first hydrauliccylinder element and one end of said second hydraulic cylinder elementbeing pivotally mounted to said base member, the other end of said firsthydraulic cylinder element being pivotally mounted to said table elementnear one end thereof, the other end of said second hydraulic cylinderelement being pivotally mounted to said table member near the other endthereof; said support means being adapted to tilt said table in alongitudinal direction by rotating the pivot connection of said firstcylinder element and said table around the pivot connection of saidsecond cylinder element and said table while the pivot connectionbetween said second cylinder element and said table member is describinga circular path around the pivot connection between said secondhydraulic cylinder and said base member.

13. X-ray apparatus comprising, a generally rectangular table member; agenerally rectangular base member; support means; said support meansincluding first and second pairs of hydraulic cylinder members, each ofsaid hydraulic cylinder members being extendable along its longitudinalaxis; actuating means adapted to independently extent each of said pairsof hydraulic cylinder members, one end of each of said first pair ofcylinder members being pivotally connected to said base member near thelongitudinal center thereof, each of said second pair of hydrauliccylinder elements having one end pivotally connected to said base membernear the longitudinal center thereof; the other end of each of saidfirst pair of hydraulic cylinder members being pivotally mounted nearone end of said table member, the other end of each of said second pairof hydraulic cylinder members being pivotally mounted to said tablemember near the other end thereof; means coupling said first pair ofhydraulic cylinder elements to said second pair of hydraulic cylinderelements in a manner so that any motion of said first pair of cylinderelements around its pivot connection to said base member results in arelated motion of said second pair of hydraulic cylinder elements aroundits pivot connection to said base member.

14. X-ray apparatus comprising, a generally rectangular box-shaped tablemember; a base member; first and second support members; first andsecond track members fixed to said table member, said first track memberrunning from a point near the top of said table member at the left-handend thereof to a point near the bottom of said table member at theright-hand end thereof, said second track member running from a pointnear the top at the right-hand end thereof to a point near the bottom atthe left-hand end of said table member; first and second lead screws,said first lead screw being mounted within and coextensive with saidfirst track member, said second lead screw being mounted within andcoextensive with said second track member; first and second lead screwfollowers, said first lead screw follower being mounted on said firstlead screw and adapted to travel in one direction when said first leadscrew is rotated clockwise and in the opposite direction when said leadscrew is rotated counter-clockwise, said second lead screw followerbeing mounted on said second lead screw and adapted to travel in onedirection when said second lead screw is rotated clockwise and in theopposite direction when said second lead screw is rotatedcounter-clockwise; one end of each of said support members beingpivotally connected to said base member, the other end of said firstsupport member being pivotally connected to said first lead screwfollower, the other end of said second support member being pivotallyconnected to said second lead screw follower; first and second links,one end of said first link being pivotally coupled to said first supportmember, one end of said second link being pivotally coupled to saidsecond support member, the other ends of each of said links beingpivotally joined together so as to form a pivot joint; guide meanssupported by said base member, said guide means providing a verticalpath for said pivot joint; means adapted to independently rotate each ofsaid lead screws for elevating said table member.

15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 in which said first and secondlead screw followers are nonrotatably confined within said first andsecond track members respectively.

16. X-ray apparatus comprising, a table member; a base member; first andsecond support members, one end of each of said first and said secondsupport members being pivotally coupled to said base member; first andsecond track members fixed to said table member, said first track memberextending from a point near the top of said table member at one endthereof to a point near the bottom of said table member at the oppositeend thereof, said second track member extending from a point near thetop of said table member at the said opposite end thereof to a pointnear the bottom of said table member at the other end thereof; first andsecond carrier members, said first carrier member being adapted to ridealong the longitudinal axis of said first track member and said secondcarrier member being adapted to ride along the longitudinal axis of saidsecond track member, the other end of said first support member beingpivotally connected to said first carrier member and the other end ofsaid second support member being pivotaily connected to said secondcarrier member; positioning means adapted to independently position eachof said carrier members at any point along its respective track member;coupling means coupling said first and said second support members insuch a manner that any rotational motion of one of said support membersaround its said pivot connection to said base member inducescorresponding rotational action of said other support memher around itssaid pivot connection to said base member.

17. X-ray apparatus comprising, a table and a relatively rigid base;means adjustably supporting said table upon said base and including afirst pair of links each having an end pivotally afifixed to respectivespaced points on said base; a second pair of links each having one endpivotally affixed to a respective one of said first links; means forpivotally joining the opposite ends of said second links; guide meansfor constraining the motion'of said pivotally joined ends of said secondlinks to a limited path; coupling means for coupling the opposite ends12 of each of said first pair of links to said table in such a mannerthat said table can be rotated around said opposite end of one of saidfirst pair of links while said first pair of links are rotating'aboutsaid base member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. X-RAY APPARATUS COMPRISING, A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR BOX-SHAPED TABLESTRUCTURE; A BASE MEMBER DISPOSED GENERALLY IN THE HORIZONTAL PLANEBENEATH SAID TABLE STRUCTURE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE BOTTOM OF SAIDTABLE STRUCTURE; ELEVATING MEANS ADAPTED TO VERTICALLY RAISE SAID TABLESTRUCTURE ABOVE SAID BASE MEMBER UP TO A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE AND TOMAINTAIN SAID TABLE STRUCTURE AT ANY SELECTED INCREMENT OF SAIDPREDETERMINED DISTANCE; POSITIONING MEANS ADAPTED TO POSITION ANDSUPPORT SAID TABLE STRUCTURE AT ANY ELEVATION OF ITS LONGITUDINAL AXISUP TO 90 DEGREES ABOVE HORIZONTAL; SAID POSITIONING MEANS CO-ACTING WITHSAID ELEVATING MEANS IN SUCH A MANNER THAT SAID POSITIONING ACTION MAYBE INITIATED FROM ANY INCREMENTAL POSITION OF SAID ELEVATING MEANS.